This Week's Day-by-Day Picks

THU 8
Don't drink the water. Don't pay full price. And don't piss off the Federales! When it comes to planning a trip south of the border, that's pretty much the holy trinity of need-to-know info. But the father-son tandem of Drs. Robert and Curtis Page have some additional advice for our next excursion to Mexico. On Thursday, July 8, the Pages offer a discussion, "Traveling to Mexico Worry-Free," at Changing Hands Bookstore, 6428 South McClintock in Tempe, based on their book, Mexico Health and Safety Guide. While the talk is "geared to the casual weekend tourist, the retiree, the business traveler, honeymooners and spring breakers," there's sure to be someone out there enjoying the comforts of a Mexican jail cell who could have used such Page advice. Don't waste away in Margaritaville -- get to Changing Hands at 7 p.m. Call 480-730-0205 for more info.

FRI 9
Too often, the "Cinderella-story" tag is a clich that just doesn't work. But in Fountain Hills Community Theater's musical production of Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime?, opening Friday, July 9, the only thing that's missing is Cinderella herself. In the 1920s-themed Buddy, we see a young girl hoping to get an audition for a new movie starring her own Prince Charming. But her evil stepmother and sisters will do anything to step in the way. The show is presented by students of the Fountain Hills Performing Arts Camp, and starts at 6:30 p.m., with 2:30 p.m. shows on Saturday and Sunday, July 10 and 11. The FHCT is located at 11445 North Saguaro. For tickets, $5, call 480-837-9661.

SAT 10
Supergeek becomes Superhero. Superhero encounters villains aplenty. Battle ensues. And chicks dig the omnipotent, victorious Superhero. That's how the storyboard goes. But since we're almost positive there's more to it (and since our scratch isn't worth scratch), we suggest checking out Samurai Comics' Comic Art & Writing Design workshop on Saturday, July 10, at Teen Central in the Burton Barr branch of the Phoenix Public Library, 1221 North Central. The workshop is a "hands-on comics creation" lesson -- meant for teens, exclusively, ages 12 to 18 -- with local comic writers and artists. The six-hour class, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., includes lunch, as well as drawings for prizes and trivia contests. Best of all, the workshop is free, with supplies provided. To register, call 602-495-5114.

SUN 11
They come from a land down under. And if that isn't enough to beckon memories of the forgettable sounds of the early 1980s, Sydney, Australia's Gerling whacks us upside our bowl-cut heads -- with skinny ties and analog synthesizers, to boot -- this Sunday, July 11, at Modified Arts, 407 East Roosevelt. But Gerling aren't just three Crock Dundoodees regurgitating sounds of yore -- they mix up New Wave grooves with some electroclash beats and a punk attitude. The "three scruffy punks . . . with nice shoes and shitty broken equipment" will play tunes from their first and upcoming American release, badblood!!!, which they recorded in their own studio. Aussie you there . . . Doors open at 7:30 p.m., with fellow synthers Red Light Sting opening the show. Admission is $7. Call 602-462-5516.

MON 12
Hey, Galileo, the rings of Saturn are someone else's turf these days. But don't fret -- there's plenty of room for both you and NASA. Go hyperspace and make your way out to the Glendale Public Library, 5959 West Brown, on Monday, July 12, at 7 p.m. for a Backyard Stargazing for Everyone presentation by "local guides to the night sky," Tony and Carole La Conte. The La Contes can't promise a starry night a la Van Gogh -- what with the monsoon winds soon to kick something up fierce -- but at least it gives us the chance to aim that telescope somewhere other than our neighbor's bedroom window. The La Contes also educate the spaced-out masses about the latest on the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's space program. The presentation is free. Call 623-930-3573.

TUE 13
Tuesdays don't typically make for a happy happy hour. Everyone's bitching about the long week that remains. Not to mention that we're still getting over our case of the Mondays. But in the surroundings of the Herberger Theater Center, 222 East Monroe, the self-pity turns to party as the Second Act Happy Hour helps ease the pain with a healthy dose of both cocktails and culture. This month's mix on Tuesday, July 13 -- themed "Ooo . . . Caliente" -- features performances by Scorpius Dance Theatre and the music of J.D. Madrid, as tipsy drones of the 40-hour work week peruse paintings by Ed Dominguez while munching on food by Chipotle. And if the Spanish wine and Smirnoff Ice haven't gone to your head, Tango Discovery Arizona offers tango lessons to those still standing. The after-work wind-down begins at 5:30 p.m. and lasts until 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. For information, call 602-254-7399, extension 102.

WED 14
Think your family's a little twisted? While you just might be right, the Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 North Galvin Parkway, proves you aren't alone on Wednesday, July 14, with its Yoga Pura at the Garden family workshop. While organizers say that the workshop is "basic and simple" -- and open to "all levels" of the yoga experienced and inexperienced -- we're sure you could bend your bratty brother into back-breaking positions while no one's looking. The workshop is indoors from 7 to 9 p.m. at Webster Auditorium. And for those families looking to spend even more quality time together, get there about an hour early for a self-guided tour of the Garden, included in the $32-per-family fee ($25 if you're friends of the DBG). Space is limited. Call 480-941-1225 to register.